Dispensing system



Jan. 3, 1961 w. E. KRAMER 2,967,005

DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w l -l a A5 ;7S 444/ L739 II n n [I ATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1961 w. E. KRAMER 2,967,005

DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR s: n lLLlfil'f 5%?4/15/5 ATTORNEY United States Patent DISPENSING SYSTEM William E. Kramer, Shaler Township, Allegheny County,

Pa., assignor to Gulf Research & Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pin, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 712,822

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-436) This invention relates to a fluid proportioning system and more particularly to a gasoline dispensing system adapted to blend and dispense a plurality of gasoline stocks in varying proportions.

The growing trend in the automobile industry toward higher horsepower necessitates a boost in compression ratios of auto engines which in turn requires a higher octane rated gasoline to counteract the greater knocking tendency of the higher compression ratio engine. This continuing increase in the compression ratio of auto engines with attendant higher octane number ratings to match has created a wide divergency between the octane rating requirements of the earlier model automobiles as compared with the newer models. Heretofore most gasoline service stations have offered only two grades of gasoline for sale, each grade having a relatively different octane number rating, that is, one grade possessing an octane ratingsuflicient, ordinarily, to prevent knocking in automobile engines that exhibit the most extreme knocking tendencies and a second quality gasoline adapted to function without knocking in automobile engines having substantially less knocking tendencies. By far the greatest number of autos today have octane requirements which lie between the two grades normally marketed; however, to avoid knocking in these auto engines, the motorist is forced to purchase a gasoline of considerably higher octane rating than the minimum required. In order to alleviate this situation gasolines are being marketed intermediate in quality between the two grades normally marketed. These intermediate grades of gasoline can be marketed by installing additional storage and pumping facilities in existing service stations, bulk plants and refineries, but a considerable saving is effected by utilizing the existing dual storage facilities and by marketing blends of the present higher and lower octane gasolines blended at the service station at the time of purchase.

Various gasoline proportioning and dispensing pumps have been proposed as a solution to the blending of gasolines at the service station, but such pumps are normally, relatively expensive since they usually involve several duplicate parts and in that they are sufl'iciently unconventional as to present substantial problems of manufacture and supply. Adjustable proportioning valve devices have also been proposed to accomplish blending of gasoline at the service station, but ditficulty is usually encountered in such systems in maintaining a constant proportion of component gasolines in the blend. This is due to an independent variation in pressure difierential across the respective proportioning valves that results primarily from independent variation in the respective tank levels.

in accordance with the present invention a relatively low cost, blending, proportioning and dispensing system is provided that is adapted for use with the standard gasoline dispensing systems currently used and offered to the trade without substantial alteration or redesign of such systems. Broadly, the present invention includes a main supply conduit, a plurality of branch supply con- Patented Jan. 3, 1961 duits connected to the main supply conduit and to separate sources of supply. The invention also includes proportioning means that comprises a three-way valve means associated with each of the branch supply conduits in the direction of the main supply conduit which maintains a constant proportion of component gasolines in the blend irrespective of independent variation in the respective tank levels. A positive displacement dispensing pump is connected on its suction side to the main supply and blending conduit and to the dispensing conduit on its discharge side. Bypass means is provided for recirculating pumped fluid in excess of the amount that can be discharged from the dispensing pump into the dispensing conduit, said fluid being bypassed from the "ice discharge side of the pump to the suction side of the pump.= A substantially constant speed motor is provided for driving the positive displacement pump. The invention further includes a hydraulic motor operatively associated with the dispensing conduit and means associated with the said hydraulic motor and adapted to make contact with electrical means provided to operate the proportioning valve in a manner such that a total of one volume of fluid is caused to flow through the proportioning valve for each volume of fluid passed through the hydraulic motor. The invention also includes a valve in the dispensing conduit adapted to control fluid flow therethrough.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in Figure 1 a schematic flow diagram, partly in section, of a gasoline proportioning and dispensing system embodying the principles of this invention.

Figures 2 and 3 comprise, respectively, a front view and a cross section, of the adjustable cam device and switch of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 in greater detail, operation of a rotary type positive displacement pump 8 causes a reduction in pressure on the inlet or suction side of the pump. Atmospheric pressure acting on the gasoline in tanks A and B, not shown, causes flow of these gasolines from the tanks, through supply conduits 2 and 3 from tanks A and B, respectively, toward proportioning valve 6. Swinging member 5 alternatingly opens and closes off conduits 2 and 3 respectively at predetermined intervals. The gasolines from tanks A and B are caused to flow toward pump 8 in a fixed proportion, the proportion being dependent upon the interval in which the respective conduits 2 and 3 remain open in valve 6. Where the swinging member 5 alternately opens conduits 2 and 3 at equal intervals, the volume proportion of the component gasolines delivered to the outlet of valve 6 will be substantially equal.

The gasolines from tanks A and B are blended at the discharge side of the proportioning valve 6, and the mixture then passes into main supply conduit 7 towards the suction side of dispensing pump 8, which is connected in series with line 7. Pump 8 is driven at an essentially constant speed by electric motor 9. The blended gasoline is conveyed from the suction side of pump 8 by rotation of vaned pump rotor 24, into the discharge side of the pump and then into dispensing conduit 13. Dispensing pump 8 has a capacity such that it will pump gasoline at least as rapidly as, and usually more rapidly than, the maximum rate at which it is dispensed from the system.

The volume of gasoline that is pumped through the pump separated from the gasoline in air eliminator 14 pass with some gasoline through a small diameter conduit 25 into chamber 22 from which the air is vented to the atmosphere. The level of gasoline which is trapped in chamber 22 is controlled by a float valve, as illustrated. Thus, as the gasoline level in chamber 22 rises, the float valve opens, and excess gasoline recirculates to the inlet side of dispensing pump 8 via small diameter conduit 26.

The volume of gasoline passed through dispensing conduit 13 is measured by flow through meter 15 which cornprises a hydraulic motor having a rotary shaft 16 whose rotation is directly proportional to the volume of liquid passed therethrough. The rotation of shaft 16 is translated into total gallons and total sales price by a system of gears in a variator and computer-counter 21. In the illustrated embodiment, an adjustable cam 17 is mounted on the meter shaft 16, the shaft extending through the central axis of said cam. The rotation of meter shaft 16, driven by the hydraulic motor (meter 15), causes concurrent rotation of the adjustable cam 17. Cam l7 actuates circuit closers in a solenoid switch 18 which has a contact head (see Figure 2) provided with a free end which rides on the surface of the cam. Impulses from switch 18 are transmitted through electrical connections 19, power being provided by any suitable source 20, to solenoid unit 4 which in turn activates swinging member in valve 6, spring 29 moving in opposition to energy transmitted by solenoid unit 4 to swinging member 5. Valve 6 is designed to allow only one gasoline stock at a time to pass through it to the downstream side or blending side (conduit 7). It is essential to avoid starving the positive displacement pump which would cause cavitation. To this end valve 6 will pass the two stocks to be blended from tanks A and B simultaneously during the very short period in which the swinging vane member 5 changes position to open one inlet and close off the other. The final blended fluid proportion depends on the relative time that the valve remains open to flow of each of the two respective gasoline stocks. This relative time depends only upon the pattern of adjustable cam 17 mounted on meter shaft 16. The rotation of cam device 17 and the rotation of meter shaft 16 are so interrelated that for each unit volume of gasoline that is caused to flow through meter 15, a total of one unit volume will be caused to flow from branch supply conduits 2 and 3, through proportioning valve 6, to main supply conduit 7.

Continuing with the detailed description of the system shown in Figure l, the blended gasoline passes downstream from meter 15 through check valve, not numbered, through visi-gauge 27 and out of the system through dispensing nozzle 23 at a rate controlled by manually operated, spring-loaded dispensing valve 28.

For a clearer understanding of the structure and operation of the proportioning system reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3 in which is shown a front view and a cross section of adjustable cam 17, mounted on meter shaft 16, which actuates solenoid activating switch 18. As shown in the present embodiment, the circuit closer comprises a block of insulating material 31 having terminals 32 and 33 to which are connected lead wires 34 and 35, respectively, the terminal 33 having a contact head 36 and the terminal 32 having connected thereto a contact strip 37 having a contact head 38 adapted to engage contact head 36 and a free end 39 which rides on the peripheral surface of the cam.

The periphery of adjustable cam 17 is substantially circular except for radial depressions 50 and 51 beginning with radial defining lines 40 and 42 and ending with radial defining lines 41 and 43, respectively. These peripheral notches are provided to accommodate triangular plates 44 and 45, respectively, pivoted on shaft 16. The innermost extremities of triangular plates 44 and 45 are sandwiched between disc 58 and disc 46 which are especially formed to accommodate the innermost extremities 48 and 49 of triangular plates 45 and 44, respectively. Triangular plates 44 and 45 may be moved individually being limited only by the peripheral length of the cam depressions 50 and 51 (as determined by length of arcuate slots 54 and 55) which in the specific embodiment shown are approximately 45 Once a desired adjustment is established, the triangular plates 44 and 45 may be anchored in the main disc 47 by drawing up securement screws 52 and 53 respectively that extend through the aforesaid arcuate slots 54 and 55.

When the switch arm 39 rides on the fiat portion 56 the contact of the switch is broken and no current will flow through the solenoid (see Fig. 1). However, when the cam rotates and said switch arm drops into notches 50 or 51 the contacts 36 and 38 of the switch 18 will be closed and current will flow from one side of the power supply by way of conductor 35 to one side of said solenoid and by conductor 34 to the other side of said power supply to complete the circuit therethrough and energize said solenoid and thereby operate the swinging element 5 of the proportioning valve 6, as shown in Figure 1.

As can readily be seen, the cam may be adjusted to change the pattern of making and breaking the solenoid valve circuit, which in turn changes the proportions of gasoline stocks, without the necessity of removing the cam from the shaft, it being necessary merely to loosen the securement screws and change the position of the triangular plates in respect to the radial depressions. Instead of the adjustable cam shown in Figures 2 and 3, other cams capable of variable setting may be used.

It will be appreciated that placing of the proportioning valve upstream of the dispensing pump is advantageous in that such placement permits use of standard gasoline dispensing pumps as blending pumps, without substantial redesign. It will also be appreciated that the herein disclosed invention permits passage of the blended product through the dispensing pump, thereby avoidingabnormal loading of the bypass system attendant to placing the proportioning valve downstream of the dispensing pump. The herein disclosed invention also permits pumping of two liquids in varying proportions using both a single dispensing pump and a single flow meter. By the use of the herein described proportioning system cavitation caused from independent variation in the re spective tank levels is effectively minimized.

Many modifications of the herein described proportioning system will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. For example, other adjustable cams can be used in place of that shown in Figures 2 and 3. Other valve mechanisms may be substituted for the swinging gate type solenoid-controlled blending valve. Also, the disclosed system is adaptable in an obvious manner to the blending of more than two fluids. It will also be apparent that two or more fluids other than gasoline can be blended in a fixed, predetermined proportion using the herein described invention. In addition, various changes in form, size, arrangement of parts, operation and mechanical details may be made.

It is therefore obvious that these and other modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, only such limitations should be imposed as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A fluid proportioning system comprising a main supply conduit, a plurality of branch supply conduits connected to said main supply conduit and to separate sources of supply, a proportioning valve means connected with each of said branch supply conduits and adapted to control flow in the direction of the main supply conduit, a positive displacement dispensing pump connected on its suction side to the main supply conduit and connected to a dispensing conduit on its discharge side, bypass means for recirculating pumped fluid in excess of the volume dispensed from the system from the discharge side of the dispensing pump to the suction side of the pump, a substantially constant speed motor for driving said dispensing pump, a hydraulic motor operatively connected to said dispensing conduit, a cam engaged with and driven by said hydraulic motor, a switch adapted to engage with said cam, an electrical means connected to said proportioning valve means and in communication with said switch, whereby said proportioning valve means is actuated by said switch, and a delivery valve in said dispensing conduit adapted to control flow through said conduit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cam is adjustable for varying the operation of the proportioning valve, whereby the ratio of proportioned fluids can be varied in the resulting blend.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proportioning means comprises an adjustable cam and the proportioning valve means comprises a solenoid operated valve responsive to the pattern of said adjustable cam.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the solenoid operated valve means comprises a swinging gate member, whereby the plural conduits from their source of supply are alternately opened and closed.

5. A fluid proportioning system comprising a main supply conduit, a plurality of branch supply conduits connected to said main supply conduit and to separate sources of supply, an oscillating proportioning valve connected with each of said branch supply conduits and adapted to control tlow in the direction of the main supply conduit, a positive displacement dispensing pump connected on its suction side to the main supply conduit and connected to a dispensing conduit on its discharge side, bypass means for recirculating pumped fluid in excess of the volume dispensed from the system from the discharge side of the dispensing pump to the suction side of the pump, a substantially constant speed motor for driving said dispensing pump, a hydraulic motor adapted to be driven by the flow of liquid through said dispensing conduit, a cam connected to said hydraulic motor and adapted to engage with an electrical means which actuates the said oscillating proportioning valve, and a delivery valve in said dispensing conduit adapted to control flow through said conduit.

6. In a metered gasoline dispensing system comprising a meter, a meter driving means adapted to engage said meter, a dispensing conduit connected to the meter driving means, said meter driving means being actuated by flow of gasoline in the dispensing conduit of the system, a plurality of sources of gasoline supply, a proportioning valve having an inlet connected to each of the several sources of supply and an outlet connected to the dispensing conduit of the system, a cam operatively connected with said valve and rotated by the meter driving means, an electrical means controlled by rotation of said cam to actuate said valve which controls the proportion of gasoline flowing through the valve from the several sources whereby for each volume of gasoline caused to flow through the meter driving means an equal volume of gasoline will flow through the proportioning valve and enter the dispensing conduit.

7. .A metered gasoline dispensing system having in combination a dispensing conduit, a meter driving means positioned within and intermediate the ends of the dispensing conduit, said meter driving means being responsive to the flow of fluid passing through the conduit, a cam mounted on and rotated by said meter driving means, an electrically operated proportioning valve positioned between the dispensing conduit and a plurality of sources of supply, said proportioning valve being electrically connected to the cam and responsive to rotation of the cam to control fluid entering the dispensing conduit from a plurality of sources of supply, whereby for each volume of fluid caused to flow through the meter driving means an equal volume of fluid will pass through the proportioning valve means and enter the dispensing conduit.

8. A metered gasoline dispensing system having in combination a dispensing conduit, a meter driving means positioned within and intermediate the ends of the dispensing conduit, said meter driving means being actuated by the fluid passing through the conduit, a cam mounted on and driven by the meter driving means, said cam having an adjustable means for changing the pattern of its outer pheriphery, a solenoid operated proportioning valve positioned at the juncture of the dispensing conduit and a plurality of sources of supply, said solenoid proportioning valve being operatively connected to and adapted to be controlled by the adjustable cam, whereby the pattern of the adjustable cam will determine the relative time the solenoid operated valve means remains open to the flow of gasoline from its sources of supply.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,197,294 Brockbank Apr. 16, 1940 2,275,471 Samiran Mar. 10, 1942 2,418,858 Urquhart Apr. 15, 1947 2,504,013 Ellis Apr. II, 1950 2,527,136 Kagi et al. Oct. 24. 1950 2,638,247 Taylor May 12. 1953 2,759,633 Ross Aug. 21, 1956 

